You’ve heard it said before and now you’re going to hear it again, but when it comes to driving during the holiday season, be careful out there.

Here are some numbers to back up why.

According to PennDOT, the holiday season is the most dangerous time of the year for drivers. In 2012, there were 4,328 crashes statewide during the Thanksgiving weekend with 53 fatalities. Then, during the Christmas and New Year’s period there were 1,640 crashes and 19 fatalities.

Two common denominators in these crashes were impaired drivers and the lack of seatbelt use. Of those crashes mentioned above, 861 involved a driver impaired by alcohol and drugs and 31 of those crashes were fatal. Also, among the three holidays mentioned, 758 crashes involved unbuckled occupants with 36 of those being fatal.

Sure everyone wants to have a good time among family and friends, but don’t let it be your last good time.

Twenty Percenter AwardEach week we take a look at a situation where a driver, rider or pedestrian had about 20 percent, or less, of their brains working, and the rest somewhere else. These are real occurrences witnessed by me while driving on the wonderful and varied roads in Delaware County. And, they will be an example of what not to do while driving, riding or walking.

I’ve seen this numerous times in the past couple of weeks.

It’s easy to forget when you pull out of lighted parking lot to turn your lights on. But heading down MacDade Boulevard just after 5 p.m. in these last few days, I’ve seen maybe a dozen cars or so that have not had their lights on. That’s just a recipe for an accident as drivers waiting to make turns can easily miss a car with no headlights glaring.

So don’t forget to make sure your lights are on the next time you get in your car, especially around that 5 p.m. hour when it’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there.

Traffic DelaysI-95 –There will be southbound lane restrictions between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday, and then northbound restrictions Wednesday and Thursday between Naamans Road and Route 452 for sign structure inspection.

US 1 — There will be lane restrictions between Farwood Road and Grove Place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekday until December of 2014 for bridge rehabilitation.

Route 252 – There will be lane restrictions between Palmer’s Mill Road and Kirk Lane between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. each weekday until December of 2014 for road construction.

Providence Road – It will be closed between Springfield Road and Lansdowne Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekday until Dec. 31 for utility installation.

Walt Whitman Bridge — The northern most lane is closed, but lane adjustments will be made to accommodate rush hour traffic and stadium events. Four lanes will be open coming into Philadelphia between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. each day, two lanes will be open in each direction between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and three lanes will be open in each direction from 2 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following day. Three lanes will be open in each direction on weekends.

Chester — Concord Road is closed between Tilghman and Lincoln streets until July 2015 for bridge construction.

Concord Twp. - US 1 will have lane restrictions between Route 322 and Evergreen Drive each weekday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until June for driveway and curb installation.

Haverford — There will be lane restrictions on Ardmore Avenue at Hannum Drive between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m . Monday-Friday for utility installation. Manoa Road between Earlington Road and Grove Place Road will be closed and detoured from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekday until Dec. 31 for water main replacement. Also, Marple Road will be closed and detoured between Darby Creek Road and Darby Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekday until Jan. 24 for utility installation.

Nether Providence – There will be lane restrictions between Brookhaven Road and Media Parkway between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday for utility installation.

Newtown Twp. – Goshen Road will have lane restrictions between Newtown Street Road and Echo Valley Road from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. each weekday until Dec. 13 for utility installation. West Chester Pike will have lane restrictions between St. Alban’s Circle and Bryn Mawr Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekday until March 15 for utility pole replacement. Newtown Street Road will have lane restrictions between Darby Paoli Road and N. Newtown Street Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekday until Dec.2 for pipe installation.

Radnor – Upper Gulph Road will have lane restrictions at County Line Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m . Dec. 11-12 for utility installation. Darby Paoli Road is closed between Newtown Road and Brook Road until Nov. 26 due to bridge damage.

Ridley Township - The bridge on PA 291 over Darby Creek is restricted to one eastbound lane until construction is completed in December.

Swarthmore – North Chester Road will be closed between Swarthmore Avenue and Baltimore Pike from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekday until Dec. 31 for utility installation.

Upper Chichester – Chichester Avenue will have lane restrictions between Sommers Lane and Chelsea Parkway from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each weekday until Dec. 13 for utility installation.

And remember when you’re driving, life’s a journey, not a race.

Roads Scholar runs every Sunday. Messages and email with phone numbers will be considered. Email Jeff Wolfe at jwolfe@delcotimes.com.